About

Ashlee is Mama of one darling boy. A 28 week early bird, now 1 and some change, doing beautifully. She lives near Chicago with her sweetheart husband and French Bulldog. She's a thinker not afraid to get her silly on. Babywearer, veggie queen, photography nut. Before the domestic days Ashlee was pursuing a future in developmental psychology but has happily shifted gears in favor of staying at home and couldn't imagine doing anything else. In her free time (ha!) you can find her whipping up babyslings, holding down the fort at Mama Speaks and spotlighting as an Itsy Bitsy Yoga Instructor.

We had Xavier's NICU reunion picnic today at Valplayso. I was so excited to go- to meet other parents, hopefully see some we shared our days in the hospital with and revisit a few nurses. It was nice, not as packed as I'd expected- and we didn't see any familiar faces, but we enjoyed ourselves. It was neat to see all the other little one's who'd been where we were, all doing so well. Xavier's primary nurse wasn't able to make it because she had to work, so after the picnic we headed to the hospital to visit her instead. It was wonderful. While Xav had a huge team of people looking after him- she made all the difference, in his life and ours.

Parenting a preemie is a strange experience. Your child is born into an artificial world where life and death are constantly at odds. And you are seemingly plopped right into the middle of this foreign experience. Trying to balance parenting with medical care; connecting while at times not even able to touch your new love. It is a blurry, heart-wrenching, tearful place. Where you find yourself longing for "normal" and normal seems so long ago. And while we have been amazingly blessed to have made it through with the graces we have. There are moments where it all comes flooding back. While I am content and elated that my baby boy is healthy and thriving, I have learned that it's ok to embrace a good cry now and then for where he's been and what he's endured.

I thought in becoming a parent it would be me doing the teaching, but in his 6 short months Xavier has taught me more about strength, will, purpose and favor than I could ever put into words. And the strangest thing is that while I wouldn't wish this experience on a soul, I also wouldn't change a thing. In all it's melancholy is perfection. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart" Jeremiah 1:5

I admire you so much for how strong you've become through your experience. I just couldn't imagine it. And we've seen our share of heartache with our own, and you're right- you wouldn't wish it upon anyone, but look at the person you have been shaped into now... same here. Look at our "miracles."

Phillippians 1:6 He who has begun a good work in you will complete it. top

I admire you so much for how strong you've become through your experience. I just couldn't imagine it. And we've seen our share of heartache with our own, and you're right- you wouldn't wish it upon anyone, but look at the person you have been shaped into now... same here. Look at our "miracles."

Phillippians 1:6 He who has begun a good work in you will be faithful to complete it. top

I typed "NICU reunion" into google and your page came up. I have a son who was born three months early (severe preeclampsia) and had some close calls during his stay in the NICU. He is almost 2 years old and is now thriving. I too have a good cry as I think of how Lucas fought early on in such a strange environment. You to summed it all up most eloquently. I thank you for that. top